Trading Places is an activity designed to give students the opportunity to experience running a mini enterprise. Each team will take on the role of a new company in the business of producing outfits for the Boro.
Each member of the team will be designated a job role including a manager, an accountant, a promoter, a sales man and production workers. These employees will have to manage their business by purchasing paper to make their t-shirts and then sell them on for a profit. The session runs over a 2 – 3 hour period and is made up of 5 working days where each team will try to produce as many good-quality shirts as possible. By the end of the week, the team with the most money wins!
Teams will be given a loan of £150 to start their business, which will have to be paid back. They will also have to pay wages and rent through out the week. Teams can receive fines and bonuses from health and safety representatives.
The aim is to give you the opportunity to learn about the world of work and some of the issues involved in ‘running a business’. It also encourages key enterprising skills including team work, co-operation, decision making, problem solving and negotiation.
It is suitable for students aged 12-18 and can be adapted to suit the level and age of the students taking part. It can be delivered in school or at the Riverside and is usually best with large groups, up to 130 people. It is delivered in large groups to encourage competitiveness between groups. Approximately 5 Enterprise Academy staff will be delivering the activity acting as facilitators, health and safety co-ordinators and bankers.
The activity usually takes place over a morning or afternoon session, with a further activity taking place for the rest of the day.
